a gorgeous white by Heather_anare

258: Connected souls

"Why didn't you want to see him?"

The fingers grasping the curtains flinched. With her hair down, Pola closed the curtains and slowly turned her head to face the man standing behind her. Jagra stood with an expressionless face as if he was no longer surprised of the woman's strangeness. Yes, they have been acquainted for so long that he knew her more than she knew herself.

"I cannot face him," Pola confessed as she pressed a hand to her heart. "I don't know what to say to him."

"He asked for you..." Jagra said, and as he expected, surprise and sorrow filled her face. "I told him you were still sleeping. You heard us by the door. I know it. Do you not believe the things he has experienced?"

"It's hard to believe..." Pola turned to the windows. Her hand was slightly opening the curtains. He wanted to see her master. Wanted to embrace him as his friends have, but she didn't have the courage. She thought she'd change, but it turns out nothing about her has.

Moulin's death stabbed her. And now, his sudden presence made her afraid. She was afraid...

"Tomorrow..." Jagra sighed as he lowered her head. "I will go to the Towers. Moulin is now together with the High Lord, Hadrian. The Lord is very protective of him."

"I'm not surprised," Pola muttered.

Ignoring her words, Jagra continued. "If you come with me, you will meet him. You are no longer a woman without status, Pola."

"Status does not define me. It is nothing against our enemies and the Kron."

"What I'm saying is you can go with me if you want to. You have time to prepare tonight. You can meet him again. This time look at him carefully, and you will know. Moulin... he is really alive." Jagra sighed and adjusted his glasses. "Tell me if you've decided." He turned and left through the hallway.

Left alone, Pola's fists clenched. He covered her eyes with a hand and sank down on the chair beside the windows. Silently, she remained in deep thought.

Meanwhile, a flash of light glowed within the emptiness of the training square. Ghana and Moulin chose separate. Moulin could find his way back.

"Moulin..." Ghana called before the youth could walk away. His silver gaze met her blue once calmly.

Ghana continued. Her eyes were gentle. "We don't hate you... He has never hated you. I don't know why you would ever think of that."

Moulin paused. Snow looked up to observe his master's expression. Finally, Moulin revealed a smile. His were warm and relieved. "I'm glad. Thank you..."

Ghana smiled with a sigh as she watched her friend walk away.

On one lamp of the pillars, a red crow perched silently. Its feathers as red like roses, and its eyes were eerily glowing. It restrained a crow and hurriedly flapped its wings.

When Moulin arrived before the doors of the room, his hands paused before the door handles. He didn't know why he stopped. He only sensed like there was someone inside.

'Hadrian...'

Moulin wasn't mistaken. He could feel his presence.

Glancing at Snow and Kier, Moulin told them to head to the other room after they entered. Unsure, the two little beasts only nodded obediently.

The door was opened, and he entered. Kier returned to his original form and bit Snow's scruff like a mother lion carrying her pulp. Snow, although reluctant, was helpless, and he could only concede. Being suspended in the air was somehow... interesting. Keir carried Snow away and left Moulin on his own.